Aesop's Fables; a new translation eBook

THE HORSE AND THE ASS

A Horse, proud of his fine harness, met an Ass on
the high-road. As the Ass with his heavy burden
moved slowly out of the way to let him pass, the Horse
cried out impatiently that he could hardly resist
kicking him to make him move faster. The Ass held
his peace, but did not forget the other’s insolence.
Not long afterwards the Horse became broken-winded,
and was sold by his owner to a farmer. One day,
as he was drawing a dung-cart, he met the Ass again,
who in turn derided him and said, “Aha! you
never thought to come to this, did you, you who were
so proud! Where are all your gay trappings now?”

THE DOG CHASING A WOLF

A Dog was chasing a Wolf, and as he ran he thought
what a fine fellow he was, and what strong legs he
had, and how quickly they covered the ground.
“Now, there’s this Wolf,” he said
to himself, “what a poor creature he is:
he’s no match for me, and he knows it and so
he runs away.” But the Wolf looked round
just then and said, “Don’t you imagine
I’m running away from you, my friend: it’s
your master I’m afraid of.”

GRIEF AND HIS DUE

When Jupiter was assigning the various gods their
privileges, it so happened that Grief was not present
with the rest: but when all had received their
share, he too entered and claimed his due. Jupiter
was at a loss to know what to do, for there was nothing
left for him. However, at last he decided that
to him should belong the tears that are shed for the
dead. Thus it is the same with Grief as it is
with the other gods. The more devoutly men render
to him his due, the more lavish is he of that which
he has to bestow. It is not well, therefore,
to mourn long for the departed; else Grief, whose sole
pleasure is in such mourning, will be quick to send
fresh cause for tears.

THE HAWK, THE KITE, AND THE PIGEONS

The Pigeons in a certain dovecote were persecuted
by a Kite, who every now and then swooped down and
carried off one of their number. So they invited
a Hawk into the dovecote to defend them against their
enemy. But they soon repented of their folly:
for the Hawk killed more of them in a day than the
Kite had done in a year.

THE WOMAN AND THE FARMER

A Woman, who had lately lost her husband, used to
go every day to his grave and lament her loss.
A Farmer, who was engaged in ploughing not far from
the spot, set eyes upon the Woman and desired to have
her for his wife: so he left his plough and came
and sat by her side, and began to shed tears himself.
She asked him why he wept; and he replied, “I
have lately lost my wife, who was very dear to me,
and tears ease my grief.” “And I,”
said she, “have lost my husband.”